Inspired by St. Ignatius, students are invited to engage with life鈥檚 enduring questions and to reflect deeply on the most pressing challenges of our time. They are encouraged to be attentive, to seek meaning, and to consider how they might use their talents for the greater good. At the heart of the University鈥檚 mission is the encouragement to seek God in all things, especially in the pursuit of truth, justice, and a purposeful life.
The Essentials
Campus Ministry听invites students to recognize and respond to the call of God in their lives. While grounded in Ignatian spirituality, they support all students in their ongoing spiritual and religious growth. Campus Ministry has fourteen professional staff members dedicated to providing pastoral care, opportunities for prayer, and extensive faith-based programming to students as they navigate the college experience.
Retreats at Boston College offer students a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and recharge amidst the demands of college life. 48 Hours, hosted by the Office of First Year Experience, is a weekend retreat about the transition to college for first-year students interested in building community and gaining a fuller understanding of the unique characteristics of Jesuit education. The Office of Campus Ministry hosts over 30 retreats a year. While encapsulating various themes and lengths, all Campus Ministry retreats invite students to become more attentive, reflective, and loving towards themselves, others, and God.听
Mission and Ministry鈥檚 Service programs such as 4Boston, Appa Volunteers, Jamaica Magis, and Arrupe International Encounters encourage students to put their faith into action. Through a range of local, domestic, and international community partnerships, students have the opportunity to engage in service grounded in prayer, reflection, and Catholic Social Teaching.
At Boston College, our Jesuit, Catholic identity is celebrated in both meaningful and visible ways throughout the year鈥攆rom daily Mass to campus-wide traditions that bring our community together. We begin the academic year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a Jesuit tradition that gathers students, faculty, and staff in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit鈥檚 guidance as we strive to live out the mission. Each September, Espresso Your Faith Week highlights the many ways faith is alive and active across campus through engaging events. In November, the Multifaith Thanksgiving Service honors Boston College鈥檚 rich religious diversity, uniting voices through song, dance, shared wisdom, and prayer. As students prepare to graduate, the Baccalaureate Mass, held during Commencement weekend, offers families and the University a moment to express gratitude and send students forth with blessings for the journey ahead.听
Three Things to Know听
Places to Pray
听The Boston College prayer map identifies several sites across our campuses where members of the community have found the space for cultivating the habit of prayer and reflection. In addition, we have five Chapels on campus including St. Ignatius, St. Mary鈥檚, St. Joseph鈥檚 and the Multifaith Chapel on the Chestnut Hill Campus, Trinity Chapel on Newton Campus and the Chapel at Ashby Center on the Brookline campus.听
Mass is held twice a day during the week and at various times throughout the day on Sundays. Multifaith Services such as Friday Jumah are offered in the Multifaith chapel throughout the week, but if a particular service is not available on campus, then Campus Ministry assists students in finding a local place of worship. Gabelli Hall hosts a kosher kitchen where Hillel students often gather for Shabbat on Friday evenings. Lastly, there is a designated prayer and reflection room in every residence hall so students have the opportunity to do so within the context of their own space.听
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All Faiths Welcomed
Because of our Jesuit, Catholic identity, all students are encouraged to explore and deepen their spiritual lives.听Whether your student practices a particular religion, identifies as spiritual but not religious, or is searching for meaning and purpose, Boston College offers a welcoming and supportive environment. Affiliate faith leaders from traditions such as Islam, Judaism, and Protestant Denominations are available to students on campus. Through more than 15 student faith-based groups, interfaith programs, and opportunities for worship and fellowship both on campus and in the local community, students can reflect on their values, connect with others, and grow in faith throughout their college experience.听
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Residential Ministry
Resident Ministers (RM) are full time professionals or doctoral students at Boston College. RMs can be Jesuits, ordained ministers, members of religious orders, or lay ministers who are assigned to and live within a residential community. Each RM is assigned to a specific residential area where they build relationships with students, offer pastoral support, and contribute to the spiritual life of the campus.
Resident Ministers play an important role in the life of the residence halls. They are available as conversation partners and provide a calming, supportive presence for students and staff. They also offer opportunities for prayer and reflection, extend hospitality, and take part in a 24-hour on-call rotation to respond to students experiencing crises or in need of additional support. Through their presence and interactions, RMs help foster students鈥� academic, social, and spiritual growth.
In addition to their day-to-day roles within the residence halls, RMs also participate in Sunday evening liturgies at St. Joseph鈥檚 Chapel on Upper Campus and Trinity Chapel on Newton Campus. Their work is a collaborative effort between the Office of Residential Life and Campus Ministry, and they are a valuable part of Boston College鈥檚 mission to educate the whole person.
FAQ
Students can get involved in Campus Ministry by joining liturgical ministries, participating in retreats, joining faith-sharing groups, or volunteering for social justice initiatives. The Arrupe International Immersion Program and Appa Volunteers (service trips during spring break) are two popular ways students combine service with reflection and community. These programs encourage students to explore the intersection of faith and justice in meaningful ways. Campus Ministry staff are always available to help students find the right path for their interests!
We鈥檙e glad to hear that! While you can鈥檛 sign your student up directly, Campus Ministry offers a wide range of opportunities throughout the year, such as retreats, service programs, small faith-sharing groups, and liturgical ministries. These offerings are always voluntary, and your encouragement can be powerful. At the same time, it is now up to your student to become the protagonist of their faith journey. As they navigate this formative transition into adulthood, they will need to take the initiative to join. Boston College consistently invites students to take part in its vibrant spiritual life, and many find that they connect most meaningfully when they choose to do so at their own pace.
Boston College warmly invites parents and families to participate in our vibrant faith community throughout the year, whether you live nearby or across the country. The Church in the 21st Century Center (C21) serves as a hub for spiritual engagement, offering events, programs, and resources designed to help alums, parents, and families explore contemporary Catholic life. We encourage you to subscribe to the C21 newsletter to stay informed about upcoming opportunities and remain spiritually connected to campus.
Through C21, you will discover numerous opportunities to deepen your faith. Guided reflections and prayer services (both in person and online) provide regular moments of prayer and contemplation. In鈥憄erson and virtual retreats offer space for spiritual renewal, while C21鈥檚 books and its鈥疌21 Resources鈥痬agazine present thoughtful reflections on faith in today鈥檚 world.听
Parents interested in ongoing learning can enroll in online or on鈥慶ampus courses, including certificate programs. Lectures, panel discussions, video series, and podcasts feature leading voices on theology and Catholic practice. Regular email updates, newsletters, and social media posts keep you engaged wherever you are. Community groups foster meaningful conversation and faith鈥憇haring, and you are always welcome to attend Mass on campus or participate virtually.
Boston College offers a rich retreat program open to students of all class years and faith backgrounds. Popular retreats include 48Hours (for first-year students), the Kairos Retreat, and Manresa Silent Retreat, among others. These experiences provide students with an opportunity to step away from campus, reflect, connect with their peers, and deepen their spiritual lives. Retreats are typically low-cost or free, and no prior religious experience is required. Students can learn more and register through Campus Ministry.
Yes. While Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic University, it is also home to a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community that supports students of all faith traditions. The Multi-Faith Chapel, located at 66 Commonwealth Avenue, is an intimate space open to all members of the Boston College community for meditation, prayer, and quiet reflection. Student groups such as the Muslim Student Association use the space for communal prayer in collaboration with their affiliate Campus Minister. Gabelli Hall also features a Kosher Kitchen, which serves as a gathering place for members of Hillel to celebrate Shabbat and other traditions. When a religious service is not offered on campus, Campus Ministry works closely with students to connect them with local places of worship.
Nurturing Faith, Service, and Formation
Rev. Casey Beaumier, S.J.
Rev. Casey Beaumier, S.J.
As the Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry, Rev. Casey Beaumier, S.J., leads a division devoted to fostering spiritual growth and integration across campus. Through retreats, service and immersion trips, faith-based programs, and outreach initiatives, the division supports the holistic formation of the Boston College community.
In addition to his role as Vice President, Fr. Beaumier also serves as Director of Campus Ministry and oversees several key mission-driven programs and centers, including the Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Intersections, Montserrat, First-Year Experience, and the Volunteer and Service Learning Center. Together, these offices bring Boston College鈥檚 Jesuit, Catholic identity to life in meaningful and transformative ways.
Fr. Beaumier invites all members of the community to explore and deepen their understanding of Boston College鈥檚 culture, heritage, and mission. Opportunities for retreat, service, mentoring, and spiritual conversation enrich the inner lives of students and help foster the shared values that make Boston College distinctive among American universities.